When will I receive the decision?
We will usually make a decision after conducting a hearing.
You will receive our decision at the end of the hearing or in writing at a later date.
Watch our video guide for more information about receiving our decision.
Oral decision at the end of the hearing
If we agree with the original Centrelink decision, we might tell you our decision and the reasons for that decision at the end of the hearing. This is called an oral decision.
We will send you, Centrelink and any other party a notice that sets out our decision without written reasons.
If you want a written copy of the reasons, you must ask us for them within 14 days after the oral decision was given. A copy is sent to you, Centrelink and any other party.
Decision in writing
If we do not tell you our decision at the hearing, we will usually send a notice of the decision and the written reasons within 14 days after the hearing.
A copy is also sent to Centrelink and any other party.
What does the decision mean?
We can make the following decisions:
- Affirm the decision: the decision is not changed
- Vary the decision: the decision is changed in some way
- Set aside the decision and substitute a new decision: the decision is replaced with a new decision
- Set aside and remit the decision: the matter is sent back to Centrelink to make a new decision.
What happens next?
Centrelink must implement our decision or lodge an application for us to conduct a second review within 28 days after receiving our decision. Any other party to the review can also lodge an application for a second review.
If Centrelink has not put our decision into action, and there has been no appeal after 28 days, you should contact Centrelink.
You can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman if you are unhappy with a delay.
What if I do not agree with the decision?
If you think our decision is wrong, you can make an application for us to conduct a second review unless you are an employer and have received a first review decision about Paid Parental Leave.
Find out how to apply for a second review of a Centrelink decision.
If you are an employer you can appeal a Paid Parental Leave first review decision to the Federal Court, but only on a question of law.
An appeal to the Federal Court must be made within 28 days after receiving our decision.
Is the decision made public?
No. The decision is not published.